Open Burning, Smoke Exposure and Child Health

@CaribTots2Teens

Child Health and Wellness Centre

facebook.com/jamentrust

As far as possible, keep your children indoors.

Keep the windows and doors closed. Hang a

damp towel in front of areas that cannot be

fully closed off .

It is ok to use fans to circulate the air inside.

If travelling, keep the vehicle windows closed

and the air-conditioning on “recirculation”

mode. Do not pull in air from outside.

AIR PURIFIERS: high - efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can be

used to reduce air contamination.

HUMIDIFIERS: Are not as effective as air purifiers for reducing

contamination.

Will help to reduce particulate contamination

MUST be cleaned regularly to prevent mould and other harmful contaminants being circulated if they accumulate within the machine.

Minimize the amount of time spent outdoors.

A well-fitting mask is recommended, the fit is

more important that the type of fibre used.

If you have no masks, then a damp

handkerchief or rag will do.

Minimize exercise or exertion, which can

increase the rate of breathing.

A wide variety of toxins may be spread by

smoke deposits on the ground. These toxins

settle into the dirt and ultimately work their way

from plants to animals in our food chain.

For now, wash all fruits and vegetables

thoroughly with clean running water before

consumption. Cooking will NOT eliminate the

toxins.

Numerous toxins contained in the smoke can lead to Dizziness Headaches Nausea Skin rashes Cardiac arrhythmias (irregular

heartbeats)

Flushing your circulatory system will help to quickly eliminate toxins from the blood stream and kidneys.

Encourage your child to drink

8-10 oz of water at least 6 times a day if they must be exposed to the smoky environment.

If your child is known to have respiratory allergies,

sinusitis or other environmental sensitivities: start oral

antihistamines (such as DPH®, Histal® Zyrtec®,

Claritin® and Aerius®) as a preventative measure.

All medications are prescribed according to your child's weight

and severity of illness.

If you have ANY doubt about the appropriate dose needed,

please contact your doctor before administering any

medication.

If your child is a known asthmatic: Go ahead and

give preventative doses of inhalational steroid as

has been prescribed for your child in the past.

Inhalational medications (pumps) such as Seretide®

and Flixotide® contain steroids.

All medications are prescribed according to your child's weight

and severity of illness.

If you have ANY doubt about the

appropriate dose needed, please

contact your doctor

before administering

any medication.

Dioxin is a known carcinogen found in certain plastics and other man-made materials.

Recently there have been many reports circulating the risk of having plastic water bottles heat up the in car, transferring dioxin from the plastic to the water, however...

The largest quantified source of dioxin exposure comes from open burning of garbage – from backyard barrels to major fires such as occur at the city dumps.

Dioxin is a known carcinogen

Dioxin may also affect the developing nervous

system

A child’s brain is actively developing in the first 5

years of life

The greatest risk of neurological injury caused by

dioxin is to unborn babies and children under 5

years old.

Dioxin can also cause suppression of the

immune system and

Disruption of the hormonal system.

Reduce | Reuse | Recycle

The less rubbish there is to “manage” the less the

risk of fires.

Start a compost heap for your organic waste.

Never burn garbage in your own backyard, use

the municipal disposal system. Backyard burning

is a DANGEROUS practice, see this link for more

information.

Reduce | Reuse | Recycle

Teach your children to be aware of

their own contribution to waste creation

and recycling.

This is the only way to change the future.

1. Dr. Carolin Thomas- BoydConsultant Paediatrician, Winchester Paediatrics

Winchester Surgical and Medical Institute

3a Winchester Road, Kingston 10

2. Photo credits1. Slide 1: Riverton burning - Jamaica Environmental Trust

www.facebook.com/jamentrust March 13, 2015

2. Slide 4: www.envirosafetyproducts.com

3. Slide 7: www.webmd.boots.com

3. Links1. http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/06/why-we-should-

avoid-backyard-trash-burning/

2. https://www.ec.gc.ca/gdd-mw/

STRONG MIND. HEALTHY BODY. SOLID FOUNDATION

www.caribtots2teens.com

The information in this article is NOT intended to replace

medical advice from a licensed physician.